Versatile actor Richard Jury, last seen onstage in the Arvada Center’s “Over the River and Through the Woods” in 2001, died July 24 at age 82 from Alzheimer’s disease.

Jury, also known as Richard Satriano, is the husband of longtime actress and producer Liz Jury. Together they had six children.

“Rick was one of Denver’s top actors for many, many years, and if you heard his radio commercials, you’d know his voice,” said actress Sue Leiser. “He and Liz were quite a duo.”

Jury was born Oct. 25, 1926, in Denver, and was a theater and philosophy major at the University of Denver. After serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, he began a long TV career that included appearances on “Gunsmoke,” “I Love Lucy,” “McHale’s Navy,” and “The Andy Griffith Show.”

After returning to Denver, he worked on films here such as “Centennial” and “The Ellen Hart Peña Story.” He also helped establish a Denver chapter of the Screen Actors Guild.

Jury appeared on Broadway in the ensemble of “Inherit the Wind,” in 1956. Forty years later, he starred in the Scopes Monkey Trial play at the Arvada Center opposite David Richards, who died June 12. His wife directed.

Jury was wonderful as Henry Drummond, Denver Post critic Sandra Dillard wrote — and it didn’t hurt that he was a dead ringer for Spencer Tracy.

Bev Newcomb-Madden had “the distinct pleasure” of directing Jury in several shows, and said, “He was a dream to work with as well as the nicest, kindest man ever.”

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at the chapel at Bullock Mortuary, 1375 E. Hampden Ave. in Englewood. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association: 455 Sherman St., No. 500, Denver, CO 80203.

Boost for Grand Lake

Grand Lake’s Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre has received two separate challenge gifts from local families that, if matched, will allow construction to begin on its new 300-seat theater next spring. In short, if the company can raise $400,000 by Oct. 1, Rocky Mountain Rep will christen its new space in the summer of 2011. Information: 970-627-5087.

Polarizing “August”

Audience feedback is coming in on “August: Osage County” at a rate unlike any show presented at the Denver Center since “Urinetown.” Says one: “Loved every minute: Good theater can go on forever.” Another: “My folks walked out at the first intermission.”

Reader Ginger Playford recounted how she attended the Broadway production last Sept. 26, also starring Estelle Parsons. After the curtain call, Parsons quieted the audience and announced that Paul Newman had died. “Paul made his debut on this very stage in ‘Picnic’ in 1952, and we dedicate this performance to his memory,” she told them. Parsons had appeared in the film “Rachel, Rachel,” directed by Newman.

Briefly …

One of the more remarkable undertakings of the summer season is by the Creede Repertory Theatre, which is presenting three simultaneous original musicals among its seven-show 2009 season — especially remarkable in the current economic climate. The lineup: “A Wonderful Noise,” a farce about girls breaking into an all-male barbershop singing competition in 1941 (through Aug. 29); a new adaptation of “Swiss Family Robinson” (through Sept. 18); and “Grimm Pajamas,” a children’s musical that explores what the brothers who changed literature were like as kids (Sept. 5); call 1-866-658-2540. . . .

Hundreds of developing actors around the metro area honed their crafts at the Original Scene, a year- round performing arts center for kids through young adults from 1973-93. Many are now stalwarts of the theater community. A reunion picnic is planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Square in Golden; call 303-517-9503. . . .

And finally, the fourth Playwrights Showcase of the Western Region is Wednesday through Saturday at Curious Theatre, 1080 Acoma St. Dozens of plays by local and regional playwrights will be read by actors from throughout the metro area. Information: call 303-914-6231.

Best bet: “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)”

You may have seen “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” before, but you’ve likely not seen it as well done as this staging for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Three actors promise to condense and perform Shakespeare’s entire canon – in less than two hours. CSF members Stephen Weitz, Matthew Mueller and Geoffrey Kent (pictured) first staged the play last year for their own Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company. It was such a hit the CSF staged two special performances of it last summer, then added it to the ’09 season for a full run. Because all three actors are also playing lead roles in the CSF’s other offerings this summer, much of the comedy has been tailored to those plays. It’s a hoot. Next performances 7:30 Tuesday and Wednesday; dates then vary. At the University Theatre on the CU-Boulder campus. $14-$54. 303-492-0554 or coloradoshakes.org

Most recent theater openings

“Enchanted April” This is the stage adaptation of a romantic novel about two cloistered, married English women in the 1920s who impulsively rent an Italian villa and embark upon a vacation without their spouses. They are joined by two other ladies: an aging widow and an elegant, upper-crust beauty. Under the spell of an exotic new location, the foursome have a few life- altering experiences. Through Sept. 13. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or minersalley.com

“Forever Plaid” It’ll be a weekend of catharsis or an open wound for Greeley’s Little Theatre of the Rockies when Colorado’s oldest company stages the nostalgic, family-friendly musical about four dead teens whose dreams of musical glory come true when they miraculously return to Earth. The lighthearted musical was to be directed by disgraced University of Northern Colorado professor Vance Fulkerson, and it was a “Plaid” cast member who discovered a hidden camera in his bathroom at home and called the cops. The show goes on with Scott Wright directing. 7:30 today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Langworthy Theatre at the University of Northern Colorado, 10th Avenue and 18th Street, Greeley, 970-351-2200 or arts.unco.edu/ltr/default.html

“The Smell of the Kill” Three couples have been enjoying a monthly dinner party for years. But on this night, the men have gotten in a walk-in meat freezer, leaving the women to ponder whether to let them out. By Michele Lowe, who also wrote the Denver Center Theatre Company’s recent “Inana.” Through Aug. 16. Evergreen Players, 27608 Fireweed Drive, 303-674-4934 or evergreenplayers.org

The rest of the week in theater coverage

Nickelson details rift: Shadow Theatre founder Jeffrey Nickelson was so frustrated with the lack of response from his board, he had resolved to close Denver’s only black theater company on June 1. Instead he’s out, and he’s telling why. click here

UNC prof still free on bond: Vance Fulkerson may be considering plea that would keep his sexual misconduct charges from going to trial. click here

All you show tune skeptics, you who snicker at the spectacle of unison-dancing cats or roll your eyes at the first chords of “Don’t Rain on My Parade”: Who’s getting the last laugh now? Because suddenly, being in and grooving on and talking about musicals is the hippest thing going.

The regional premiere of Robert Askins’ provocative “Hand to God” offers equal parts raunchy fun and bloody drama. That may surprise those who’ve heard only about the hilarity of the foul-mouthed sock puppet at the show’s center.